Def Leppard, in many ways, was the definitive hard rock band of the '80s. There were many bands that rocked harder, and were more dangerous, than the Sheffield quintet, but few others captured the spirit of the times quite as well. Emerging in the late '70s as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, the group actually owed more to the glam... [+] Read More

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Although they never achieved as much notoriety as their Orange County neighbors Stryper, Los Angeles' Barren Cross were among the best-known Christian (or "white") metal bands to emerge in the 1980s. Formed in late 1983 by singer/guitarist Mike Lee, guitarist Ray Parris, bassist Jim LaVerde, and drummer Steve Whitaker, Barren Cross rehearsed... [+] Read More

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Bloodgood was an '80s Christian (or "white") metal band hailing from Washington, D.C. Formed in 1985 by vocalist Les Carlsen (formerly a cast member of a Broadway production of Hair), guitarist David Zaffiro, bassist Mike Bloodgood, and drummer J.T. Taylor, they followed in the footsteps of better-known acts like Stryper and Barren Cross in... [+] Read More

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With musical influences centered around such bands as Guns N' Roses and Motley Crue, Guardian has become a powerful force in the gospel music industry. The Christian rockers, best known for such hits as "Power of Love" and "Shoeshine Johnny," have forged their way into the '90s with modern gospel metal.

Guardian was originally known... [+] Read More

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Petra is one of the most successful Christian rock bands ever, a veritable institution whose name (taken from the Greek word for "rock") has come to reflect not only their music, but their staying power as well, even in spite of Christian radio's reluctance to program their brand of loud, slick arena-rock. Petra was formed in 1972 by guitarist... [+] Read More

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The Resurrection Band (also known as REZ) formed during the height of the Jesus People USA movement in the late '60s and early '70s, comprising vocalists Glenn and Wendi Kaiser, guitarist/keyboard player Stu Heiss, bassist Roy Montroy and drummer John Herrin. The group, which plays hard rock verging on metal, came together at a communal home in... [+] Read More

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The bass player of southern rock band the Outlaws, from 1980 until 1982, Rick Cua has expressed his spiritual convictions through music for nearly two decades. The vice-president of the creative department of EMI Christian Music publishing, Cua continues to inspire spiritual awareness with his tunes. Initially rooted in hard rock, Cua has... [+] Read More

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Described by Larry Norman as being "too Christian for the radio, and too radio for the Church," the 77's were formed in Sacramento in the early '80s by Mike Roe (vocals, guitar) Mark Tootle (keyboards, guitar, vocals), Jan Eric Volz (bass, guitar, vocals) and drummer Mark Proctor. Known at first as the Savage Young Scratch Band, the Christian... [+] Read More

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The Christian rock band Whiteheart was formed in 1982 by singer Steve Green, guitarist Dann Huff, bassist Gary Lunn, keyboardists Mark Gersmehl and Billy Smiley, and drummer David Huff, most of the members alumni of Bill Gaither's group. After debuting with a self-titled effort issued on the Home Sweet Home label, Green exited the line-up, and... [+] Read More

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